Anonymous member says group is hugely divided

The real Anonymous is just 4Chan, says hacker
Long-serving Anonymous member wants nothing to do with the hactivist cause

A seasoned member of the hacking collective known as Anonymous has spoken out about the huge split within the group.

The veteran, interviewed by The Daily Beast, says the group is not the well-oiled, single-minded machine, purely focused on sticking it to the man, as many believe it to be.

Instead he and many others want nothing to do with political agendas and wish simply to continue the notorious and crude 4Chan.org website's tradition of unrelenting online malice just for the "Lulz."

The subject William (not his real name) says the mask-wearing members of the hactivist movement, who have taken on big companies and government institutions are nothing but "a joke."

Watching the world burn

"Before people thought we were a spiteful, Internet hate machine. Before you could revel in being a real p***k," says William. "Now people think we're vigilantes and care about stuff."

"Some men just want to watch the world burn," he adds, throwing in a The Dark Knight quote about The Joker and distancing himself from the moral righteousness of Anonymous and splinter group LulzSec.

The current splits is Batman vs The Joker, Parmy Olson, the interviewer and author of the book We are Anonymous points out. William is no Batman.

The keen SWATing (using 911 hoaxes to send SWAT teams to the houses of innocents) enthusiast adds that he misses the mean spirited fun and bemoans the policy of letting anyone join the group.

"It was a lot smaller and more structured [in the past]. You had to be accepted. Now anyone can join Anonymous."

Finally he adds: "I don't think [Anonymous] can change much in the world."

Via: The Daily Beast

Chris Smith

A technology journalist, writer and videographer of many magazines and websites including T3, Gadget Magazine and TechRadar.com. He specializes in applications for smartphones, tablets and handheld devices, with bylines also at The Guardian, WIRED, Trusted Reviews and Wareable. Chris is also the podcast host for The Liverpool Way. As well as tech and football, Chris is a pop-punk fan and enjoys the art of wrasslin'.

Latest in Cyber Crime
A person scanning a QR code on a smartphone
Quishing is the new QR code scam you need to watch out for – here's how to stay safe
Ransomware on the rise: how small and medium-sized businesses can achieve cyber resilience during turbulent times
Ransomware on the rise: how small and medium-sized businesses can achieve cyber resilience during turbulent times
Text Phishing Scams
Do not fall for this dangerous Amazon shopping scam
Cyber-security
Safeguarding against next-gen cyber risks
The North Face jacket
Thousands of North Face customers accounts hacked, personal data stolen
Smartphone hacked with data flow in the background
9 signs your phone has been hacked
Latest in News
Google Gemini iPhone Lock Screen
You can now access Gemini from your iPhone's lock screen
Michelle, Keats, and Doctor Amherst looking unimpressed and worried in The Electric State
Netflix drops trailer for The Electric State, and I'm getting serious District 9 vibes
YouTube TV
YouTube TV might be planning a big Netflix update that puts the best streaming services first
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Here are the 7 best Pixel 9 and Pixel Watch 3 features landing in March’s Pixel Feature Drop
Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4000C Saint Laurent Rive Droite Edition
Bang & Olufsen's latest reworked turntable is a masterpiece of retro revival, in a breathtaking wooden presentation box
Apple Watch Series 10
Apple unveils new Apple Watch bands – here's what's in the Spring 2025 collection